Vendors of Valehaven, or, How to Get Your Yule Shopping Done

This time of year is a flurry of thing-to-do.   Not only are we dealing with our normal day to day endeavors, but we need to cope with the added lists of being joyful, decking halls, and gift giving.
Sometimes, those gifts are for very special people involved in a Secret Santa style gift exchange.  (Do I need to go over this?  Oh, yes, please!)
Each year, for almost a decade, the Realms is treated to its version of the office holiday party.  People get together, (mostly) set aside differences, and have a wonderful time.  Questing, gambling, eating (so much eating), imbibing, helping charity, visiting Father Yule, singing carols, and the gift swap are just SOME of the activities for you to partake in.
In case you have been under a rock, or just ignoring the notifications, the gift swap is a wholly in character gift swap.  by answering simple questions, and sending your name and answers to a specialized team, you are signed up.  Soon after submitting your name, you get a match.  It is up to you on what you get your giftee.  Maybe this year, things are a little tight.  Home made goods are very popular.  This year was good to you?  Be generous.  Spoil your person with an absurdly amazing gift.  Ive seen the gamut, from super impressive, customized perfect gifts, to sad store bought cookies.  With the price tag still on.

Im not telling you what to do, but don't be the cookie guy.  Instead, turn to one of these amazing vendors in our community.  With these folks alone, you can make anyone's Yule a truly merry thing.  Here is a list of who does what, and how to get in touch with them.

• Vandoria's Vestments- garb of various styles.  She is very popular, so be sure to get Jen your information and requests ASAP to guarantee your giftee has something to open.  Please contact her at Vandoria's Vestments on Facebook.  

• Jana Green- Turns out, Jana Green has another talent she has kept hidden from us.  She makes stunning wooden boxes in all sort of styles.  Contact her via Facebook for information and pricing

• Michael Zajac (Swoop) This talented music student will custom write a song or poem in one of many styles for you.  I bet he would even perform for you, for the right price.  Contact Michael via Facebook for information on how to be famous, or how to really make someone's Yule shine.

• Ethan Goldman (Jean Baptiste)- jerky.  All kinds of jerky.  Beef, pork, mushroom and some we don't ask about.  Ethan will work with you to ensure you get the flavor and ingredients you want to bring joy to someone's tummy.

• Britny Fowler- We all know how well dressed the Meyerling crew is.  We all wish for half the style of these crimson clad couture kids. (too much?  I can never tell)  While time is running short, if you get in touch with Britny soon, you can get added to her list for some amazing garb, and while this is to help with gift swap ideas, its ok to spoil yourself, too.

• Erin Martin- Erin has many talents, and one of the most incredible is what this woman can do with yarn.  Hats, blankets, scarves in many styles.  She is also happy to help with tunics, cloaks and mantles.  Feel free to contact her on Facebook for examples and pricing.

• Becky Baron-  Here's a neat one, for the special scholar in your life.  Becky makes rune books.  There is no way to elaborate on how amazing these are, you need to see for your self.  Get in touch with Becky soon, these books take time.  Becky's email is wduct40@gmail.com

• Josh Fitzgerald- Look, we all have an ego.  Josh will help stroke that ego by custom painting a miniature for you or someone who deserves to be spoiled.  He is quite artistic and can show you previous examples of his work.  He can be found on Facebook.

• Megan Matulewicz- Theres hardly need to cover this talent with you all.  Realms Outfitters is well known for quality goods.  Right now, due to materials on hand, Megan is willing to make some pretty sweet cloaks for your lucky giftee.  

If you do not have Facebook, or a friend with Facebook, feel free to contact me at kelly@bonci.net, Ill help you out however I can.

What You Missed - Feast of Autumn's Twilight V

 This Sunday past marked the fifth running of Veros and Faelinn's traditional fall feast. The menu is something to look forward to every year -- the dishes are often classics associated with the season, hearty and filling, but they always have a personal touch or unique spin that makes them intriguing and, if possible, even more delicious. This is an accomplished feast-holding pair, backed by an accomplished staff, and the effort and dedication they put into the planning and execution of the feast always guarantees a good time. 

[Editor's note: photos by Jason Gray]

The menu!

Second Course - minestrone soup!

Fourth course - the pork loin

Gathered in the hall

Relaxing and socializing

Deep into a game

The kitchen staff is hard at work

Insert your funny caption here!

WIWTG: Echos of Ragnorok and Mightier Than the Sword 2

This weekend we get to work off all the amazing feasts we've seen in the last month.  Well, you know, right before Thanksgiving.

Saturday a trek to Uconn will reward you with a dungeon crawl by the team who brought us What Lurks Beneath.  That was a fantastic series of events that made it clear that Rhiassa has all the bases covered for eventing.

This event sends adventurers seeking a way to reforge a weapon of the gods to help vikings in their eternal battle.  I think it sounds wonderful, dwarves, vikings, god weapons!  Personally, Ill be looking for my own Sleipnir, Huginn, or Geri.  But what are YOU looking for?

On Sunday a day of non combat tournaments stands out among the sea of combat tourneys.  Bardic are the center of this event.  Singing, storytelling, writing, art and, for our younger artists, coloring all gain center stage.  And, a personal favorite, fashion!
There are also rumors of light questing, so don't forget to bring a weapon, be it a sword, shield, or fighter friend.

An Atypical View

Ten Questions with Kayla "Iste Nosetti" Lovern

How long have you been playing? Since Toc 2010!

How has the game changed since you've been playing? From new groups to nations, spell changes and new faces.

Who have you learned the most from? When I first started the game it was Amber,Fen, and Alan, Amanda and Rikki. And now Iste's family helps with a lot of things!

What was your best moment IC? My best moment IC was when Iste had become officially a part of a family in the Realms.

What was your best moment as a NPC/EH/Player? My best moment as a npc/player was when I was asked to play my first NPC plot role. I had no idea of the significance the role would change my character.

What would you like to see changed or developed more in game? A lot is already improving in areas that I feel need developing.

What advice would you give new players? Don't hold yourself back from meeting new people. I did at first but changed when I realized I wasn't having fun just hiding away.

What do you love most about the game? What I love most about the game is how it brings so many people from different back grounds together for a moment in time.

Who would you like to see the next interviews be with?  Please list three people. Tanner Wilson, Rayne Nosetti, Hannah Blood.

Anything else you'd like to take the opportunity to put into print? When I first started this game, I had very low self esteem, depressed and anti social. I didn't see my self doing much. Until I gave myself the push I finally needed to talk to people.Don't be afraid of going out into the realms. You will be surprised to how many people are supportive, and how many friends you will gain.

Dessert Competition Winners

One of the yearly traditions at the Black and White is the annual dessert competition. This year's theme was Baked Alaska, or Three-Layer Dessert. The winner gets to pick the dessert course for the following year's Feast of Chimeron, and is awarded the title Royal Patisseur of Chimeron.

2015 Winners: Kyomi of Chimeron, and Cimone of Chimeron (tied!)

Kyomi's dessert: 
Cherry-Berries on a Cloud

Ingredients:

• 6 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-3/4 cups sugar 

FILLING:

• 2 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows

TOPPING:

• 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

1. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Add the cream of tartar and salt; beat until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form (do not under beat). Spread evenly in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 275° for 1 hour; turn off oven (do not open door). Let cool in oven overnight or at least 12 hours. 

2. In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth; gently fold in whipped cream and marshmallows. Spread over meringue. Chill for 4 hours. Cut into 16 pieces. Combine topping ingredients; spoon 1/4 cup over each serving. Yield: 16 servings.

Photo by Meg Matulewicz

Simone's dessert: 
Cherry Squares

Ingredients:

• 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 c. sugar
• 4 eggs
• 3 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 lg. can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling (** see chef's note at the end)

Directions:
1. Cream butter and sugar together until very light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs one at a time, then beat in the extracts.
3. Gradually mix in the flour until well incorporated.
4. Spread 3/4 of the batter in the bottom of a 9"x13" pan lined with parchment paper.
5. Scoop cherry pie filling over batter in pan.
6. Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls over the cherries.
7. Bake at 375 for 45 min. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.

Cimone's notes: my version is based off this recipe. I used two square pans for thinner bars/more filling to batter. The cherries we picked and ourselves and stored in the freezer (with sugar) and used a smidgen less almond extract than called for (as it was a bit too almond-y in the test bake). Add some good vanilla ice cream, and there you go. Preferably serve warm.

Photo by View staff

Bardic Circle: Swoop's Sonnet to Princess Bryn

 During court at the Black and White, Swoop performed a sonnet to Princess Bryn, as part of a squirely task from Sir Rorin of the Knights of the Red Branch.

The Realms was graced with a princess so fair

A McKrye girl who yearned for finer things

Of days drinking tea with nary a care

Nights filled with dance, gallivanting with kings

Demure and sweet, always light on her feet

Our princess fair is quick with her sharp wit

a smile brimming wide, fool's errand to beat

Charming the crowds with a wave of the wrist

Whilst lady's heart resides in bosom deep

a conqueror's passion burns bright inside

silencing foes to their eternal sleep

Dark'ning the sun with arrows that true fly

So trouble not those who frolic in skirts

For they may pummel you into the dirt.

[All photos by View staff]